ITRE Committee calls for higher investment in clean energy research

15 January, Brussels - The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee has renewed its call for a €120 billion budget for the ninth Framework Programme for research and innovation (FP9), the follow-up to the Horizon 2020, including an increase of 50% for low-carbon energy.

In its draft report on accelerating clean energy innovation, the Committee, “urges the Commission to increase by 50% the proportion of energy-related financing under FP9 from the corresponding H2020 level.” The report also calls for better co-ordination between funding instruments, elaboration of the role of the European Innovation Council, and consideration of how to promote citizen-driven and crowdfunded energy innovation.

The report is not binding, but will send a signal to the Commission that the Parliament wishes to prioritise research in the seven year budget framework from 2020 onwards.

Taking account of the United Kingdom’s expected departure, the Commission has already confirmed that all areas will see their budgets cut, with the exception of the research and innovation, and Erasmus student programmes.

The European Parliament will vote on the ITRE report in early February, and budget proposals are expected to be published in May.